Chapter 196
Chapter 196
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>Translator: Ryuma
>Chapter: 56
>Chapter Title: Loyalty (2)
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“Hmm hmm. If you become the Leader’s disciple, wouldn’t you need a trusted right-hand man?”
‘!?’
Mok Kyung-un couldn’t hide his bewilderment at the words of Seop Chun, the Third Escort Captain of the main headquarters.
Throughout the journey north, he had been glancing over warily, wondering if it was on orders from the Leader or Vice Leader.
But this sudden question left him momentarily speechless.
-This mortal is quite the amusing one.
-Amusing?
-For three days, I wondered why he kept peeking over, and all he says is... Puahaha!
Cheongryeong, who had just warned him to stay cautious, burst into laughter.
In a way, it was laughable.
However, Mok Kyung-un didn’t take the words at face value.
-It could be a trap.
-A trap?
-Yes.
-Hmm. Why do you think that?
-It might be a ploy to plant a spy on me.
-A spy...? Well, that could be possible.
Cheongryeong suddenly agreed.
For someone he’d just met on this top-secret mission to suddenly express a desire to join his faction, it was plenty suspicious.
And this wasn’t just anyone—it was the captain guarding the Leader himself.
With no change in expression, Mok Kyung-un replied.
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“Hmm hmm. You really don’t know? Even after I’ve said it so openly.”
“Openly...? What exactly?”
Seop Chun scratched his head at Mok Kyung-un’s feigned ignorance, speaking in a disappointed tone.
“I thought we clicked, but this hurts my feelings a bit. Yeah.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on, what am I supposed to do when I’ve already said I want to join your ranks?”
Seop Chun was outright stating his intentions.
As Mok Kyung-un set down the rabbit he’d hunted on the ground, he responded to these words.
“You want to join my ranks?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
“Why? Didn’t I just say? If we complete this mission successfully, you’ll be appointed as the Leader’s fourth disciple.”
“And?”
“So don’t you need a trusted subordinate by your side?”
“Well...”
Seop Chun couldn’t hide his embarrassment at Mok Kyung-un’s lukewarm response.
He’d spent three days agonizing over how to broach the subject, finally seizing the moment when Mong Mu-yak stepped away.
He hadn’t expected such a cold reception.
Displaying his disappointment, Seop Chun said.
“Maybe I’m not to your liking?”
“No, it’s not that.”
Among the people Mok Kyung-un had met so far, Seop Chun seemed remarkably honest and free of greed.
He treated others without any particular pretense.
“But why the ‘well’? It’s making me feel rejected.”
“Whether someone appeals to you and whether you trust them are two different things.”
“Trust?”
“Yes.”
“So you don’t trust me much?”
“Do you think you’ve earned that trust?”
“No, why not? Even if I look like this, once I give my word, I keep it no matter what. If I consider someone my person, I look after them properly and follow them loyally.”
-Thump thump!
Seop Chun pounded his chest, showing his confidence.
Mok Kyung-un replied without a change in expression.
“Anyone can say the right words.”
“It’s not just words—if you accept me, I’m prepared to repay that trust, no, offer my loyalty as your right-hand man.”
“Is that so?”
“That’s what I’m saying.”
“Then why do you want to join my faction?”
Seop Chun met Mok Kyung-un’s gaze squarely.
In truth, Seop Chun had anticipated suspicion, given they’d met only days ago.
Rather than empty flattery, he decided to reveal his honest feelings.
“It’s a gamble.”
“A gamble?”
“Yeah.”
“...That’s a novel answer.”
Mok Kyung-un chuckled softly.
He’d wondered if there’d be some heartfelt reason or grand justification, but gambling was the last thing he expected.
“...Sorry to put it this way, but wanting to join you is purely a gamble for me.”
“A gamble... Well, I suppose it could be.”
“Yeah. Honestly, even becoming the Leader’s fourth disciple is just the beginning for you.”
“...”
“The eldest young master and the other disciples have already secured strong support bases and are racing toward succession.”
“So?”
“So? You’d be in the most disadvantaged position. Your support is limited to your old sect, Dark Shadow, and as a hostage from the orthodox factions, gathering allies will be tough.”
Seop Chun laid out his views with almost brutal frankness.
Of course, if taken at face value, his assessment was spot on.
Mok Kyung-un smiled lightly.
“I see.”
“Don’t take it too badly. I think anyone aiming to be your trusted subordinate should speak this bluntly.”
“Bluntly...”
“There’s a saying that good medicine tastes bitter.”
“Is that so? So in conclusion, you’re gambling on me because I’m in a disadvantaged spot.”
“Hmm hmm, something like that.”
“Then why bother with the hassle? Just join one of the other disciples’ factions. No need to gamble.”
Seop Chun panicked at Mok Kyung-un’s outright rejection.
“No, no. If that were the case, I’d have done it already.”
“It’s not too late. If there’s a disciple you like...”
“There isn’t.”
“Huh?”
“I said there isn’t. No disciple I like.”
Curious, Mok Kyung-un asked.
“Why don’t any of them appeal to you?”
“Just... they all have their issues.”
“What do you mean by ‘issues’?”
Seop Chun sighed, steadying his breath before answering.
“This is just between us, but the second son, Young Master Jang Neung-ak, has the weakest talent among the disciples and is scheming, so I don’t like him.”
“And?”
“The youngest, Lady Wi So-yeon, has decent talent and seems desperate about everything, but she feels like she’s being manipulated by her subordinates.”
‘Ho.’
For a headquarters escort captain, his observations were surprisingly sharp.
Mok Kyung-un asked.
“What about the eldest young master?”
“...Ambiguous.”
“Ambiguous how?”
“He lacks humanity. As someone walking the path of hegemony, maybe that’s fine... but there are too many talents around him. I don’t think there’s room for me.”
“There’d be room.”
“I don’t want to just be another hanger-on in his faction.”
“...”
“Most disciples already have elite juniors from prestigious martial families in the Alliance supporting them.”
Curious, Mok Kyung-un asked.
“You’re one of the Five Tigers, aren’t you?”
The Five Tigers was a title given only to the finest among the elite juniors.
With that honor and his position as Third Escort Captain, any disciple would snap him up.
But,
“No. Without backing, there are limits.”
“Backing?”
“Unlike them, I’m from a mid-tier martial family. There’s a ceiling to how far I can rise in a faction where the core subordinates are already set.”
“You’re very honest.”
“Of course. The goal in joining someone is to be recognized and succeed within.”
As his words ended, Cheongryeong’s voice rang in Mok Kyung-un’s ear.
-He’s to your liking, isn’t he?
-To my liking?
-He has pure desires like honor and success. And he’s fundamentally honest with his emotions. People like this will lay down their lives for a master who recognizes their worth.
-You approve of him.
-In my eyes, yes. What about you?
-I don’t dislike him. But I’m not sure yet.
-You suspect him?
-Yes.
The timing wasn’t right.
If it weren’t during this secret mission, or if he weren’t the headquarters escort captain guarding the Leader, Mok Kyung-un might have taken interest by now.
Loyal retainers who volunteered themselves were rare.
-So you’ll just leave him be? Or keep your distance?
-I’m thinking of testing him appropriately.
-Testing? How?
-Just confirm he’s not the Leader’s or Vice Leader’s plant.
-Confirm?
As Cheongryeong wondered, Mok Kyung-un said to Seop Chun.
“So you want to side with me because I lack a support base and seem to have plenty of openings.”
Seop Chun scratched his head out of habit.
“Openings... Yeah, I can’t deny that, but it’s not just that.”
“Not just that? Then what?”
“Just a gut feeling?”
“A gut feeling?”
“Yeah. I’m pretty good at reading people, and you’re definitely not someone meant to be under anyone.”
“...”
Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly without a word.
It was an affirmation.
Seeing this, Seop Chun’s lips twitched.
As expected, this guy had that quality.
Those limited by their origins or self-doubt merely hid their true selves, but not him.
To Seop Chun, this was the makings of a hegemon.
“That’s why I want to gamble on you. If you can surprise even the Leader, one of the Six Heavens, maybe you can topple that monstrous eldest young master.”
“You think highly of me.”
“It’s not flattery—it could become reality. Ah! That didn’t come out right. I really think it could happen.”
“Thanks for that.”
Seop Chun asked eagerly, seeing Mok Kyung-un soften a bit.
“Hmm hmm. So, will you take me as your right-hand man?”
“That might be difficult.”
Seop Chun’s voice deflated.
“Wow... You build up my hopes like you’re about to hand over your liver and gall bladder, but can’t you at least say you’ll think about it?”
“Words can promise anything.”
“No. What if I commit seppuku right here? Would you believe me then?”
“No need for that. I’m just stating facts.”
“Facts?”
“Yes.”
Puzzled, Seop Chun asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I already have people on the level of right- and left-hand men.”
Seop Chun furrowed his brow.
What was this now?
He already had core subordinates like that?
“...Are they retainers assigned from Dark Shadow?”
“No.”
“Then maybe fellow cadets from Blood River Valley who took an interest in you?”
“Ah. Them too.”
“...Hey!”
“Yes.”
“Look, I’m one of the Five Tigers, top five among the Alliance’s elite juniors. Isn’t it a bit much to compare me to those rookies?”
Seop Chun spoke in a hurt tone.
Mok Kyung-un chuckled and replied.
“Both are stronger than you.”
“What...? No, who are they? Who’s stronger than me?”
Frustrated and incredulous, Seop Chun demanded.
Mok Kyung-un shrugged.
“I can’t tell you. You’re not my person yet.”
“You’re not doing this on purpose, are you?”
“On purpose?”
“I’d work my ass off, support you to the top like a maniac. You need to give a spot like that to someone like me.”
Seop Chun truly wanted to be Mok Kyung-un’s innermost retainer.
That’s why he was gambling on him, who had no faction yet.
“That’s not enough.”
“Argh, frustrating. What if I crawl like a dog or lick your soles?”
“You’d have to, of course.”
“What?”
Seop Chun stared at Mok Kyung-un in disbelief.
Did this guy think a right-hand man was a slave?
He was about to laugh in absurdity when,
“If you want to be my right-hand man, shouldn’t you at least be capable of that?”
“There were conditions? Ha! Fine, tell me. I’ll show you I’m prepared for anything.”
“You have to serve me in life and in death, and occasionally become a woman if needed.”
“...”
Seop Chun narrowed his eyes, staring at Mok Kyung-un.
Was he joking around?
This was basically telling him to give up on the right-hand spot.
“...You’re kidding, right?”
“Does it sound like a joke?”
“Haa.”
Seop Chun let out a deep sigh.
Then, clasping his hands, he pleaded earnestly.
“If you’re saying nonsense like that, you must have a right-hand candidate already. Then at least make me your left-hand man. That’s the minimum to motivate me.”
“I didn’t draw those lines, but since you ask, it seems I do have someone on the left-hand level too.”
“Hah...! How amazing must this left-hand candidate be to already be set?”
“Someone who’s waited generations for me, I suppose.”
Precisely, for Cheongryeong.
But loyalty spanning generations was trustworthy.
At Mok Kyung-un’s words, Seop Chun snorted in disbelief.
As far as he knew, it’d been just over a month since Mok Kyung-un arrived as an orthodox faction hostage. Who could pledge generational loyalty to such a guy?
“...You really dislike me that much?”
“No. I like you.”
“You like me, so why reject me with this ridiculous joke?”
“Why would I joke?”
Seop Chun frowned at Mok Kyung-un’s serious tone.
He couldn’t read this guy at all.
Maybe he’d made a fool of himself with this gamble.
Then Mok Kyung-un spoke.
“If you prove one thing, I could take you in as my person, right- or left-hand aside.”
“No, no. At least give me the right-hand spot. I want it out of spite now.”
“I told you that’s impossible.”
“Isn’t that too much? Anyone else would say yes by now.”
“It’s already decided.”
Seop Chun was growing despondent.
“Haa... This is really unfair.”
Mok Kyung-un smiled faintly.
“If you want the right-hand spot that badly, work hard for generations. With luck, one of your descendants might get it.”
Enraged, Seop Chun raised his voice.
“Damn it, forget it. Descendants? What’s the point if I can’t be it myself?”
“Don’t get hung up on that.”
“Hung up? I’m gambling on you—give me a spot like that.”
“It’s not a gamble; it’s picking the right side properly.”
“What?”
Seop Chun’s eyes sharpened at Mok Kyung-un’s arrogant phrasing.
Picking the right side properly?
Did that mean this guy was seriously aiming for succession?
A strange thrill rose as he glimpsed his hidden ambitions, but Mok Kyung-un continued.
“So, will you do the proof?”
“...”
Seop Chun composed himself inwardly at the question.
Right. After just three days, who’d accept a right-hand pledge at face value?
The key now was proving his abilities and loyalty to this guy.
Show that consistently, and his mind might change.
He talked like there were obstacles, but who in the Alliance would side with him anyway?
In the end, they’d have to acknowledge him.
“Fine. I’ll do it. Whatever it is, tell me.”
“Ah. Looks like he’s coming back just in time.”
“Huh?”
A familiar presence rustled from nearby, carrying dry firewood.
It was Mong Mu-yak, the Vice Leader’s son.
Just in time? What did that mean?
As Seop Chun puzzled, Mok Kyung-un curled his lips slyly and said in a meaningful tone.
“Kill Mong Mu-yak.”
‘!!!!!!!’
[Chapter 56: Loyalty (2)] End